DOCSLIB.ORG

Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple Guy Phillips Professional Paper submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Forestry in Forestry Approved: ________________________________ John R. Seiler, Chairman _____________________________ _______________________________ Brian C. Kane J. Roger Harris December, 2003 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: Acer palmatum, Acer japonicum, asexual propagation, nursery production Copyright 2003, Guy Phillips Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple Guy Phillips Abstract Japanese maples have maintained a steady presence in nurseries and across the suburban landscape of America for many years now. Their fineness of texture, relatively small stature, and colorful displays are attributes that have earned them the admiration of studied horticulturalists and casual observers alike. This document attempts to compile the published accounts of several decades of observations and experiments pertaining to the general culture and propagation of Japanese maples, most specifically, information pertaining to Acer palmatum. In addition to aesthetic beauty, several factors combine to make Japanese maple a valuable horticultural species. These factors are: seedling variability, wide-ranging environmental adaptability, moderate ease of asexual propagation, limited problems with pest and pathogens in both nursery and landscape settings, and consistent commercial value and appeal. Despite the popularity and overall viability of Japanese maple cultivation, specific information concerning its culture and propagation is limited. Acknowledgements I want to thank this part of Virginia for providing me with a feeling I hadn't felt for a long while - some place to call home. The credit hours have been earned and just in time. This town has become too loud, with construction on every corner, helicopters in the sky too often, kids hollering nonsense just about every night. Thanks to all the people who treated me kindly and peacefully, amidst all the noise. Especially Dr. Seiler, who kept things human in an increasingly inhuman, academic business-like environment. Take it easy - let the kids shovel the driveway. iii Table of Contents Section Page 1. Introduction................................................................................................................1 2. Japanese Maples: Value and Appeal .......................................................................1 3. General Culture .........................................................................................................3 Soils.......................................................................................................................4 Cold Hardiness / Microclimates ........................................................................4 Container Cultivation and Transplanting........................................................5 4. Economic Sketch ........................................................................................................6 5. Propagation ................................................................................................................7 Propagation by Seed ...........................................................................................8 Grafting................................................................................................................9 Propagation by Stem Cuttings.........................................................................11 Softwood Cutting Procedure and Environment ............................................11 Aftercare of Rooted Cuttings...........................................................................13 Propagation by Hardwood Cuttings ...............................................................15 6. Cultural Challenges .................................................................................................18 Fungal Diseases .................................................................................................18 Cankers ..............................................................................................................20 Chlorosis ............................................................................................................21 Insects/Pests.......................................................................................................21 Leaf Scorch........................................................................................................24 Leaf Color Fading of Red Leaf Varieties........................................................24 7. Summary...................................................................................................................25 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................28 iv List of Multimedia Objects Table Page Table 4.1. Retail value comparison between Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' and assorted other ornamental species..........................................................7 Table 5.1. Propagation methods and their advantages and disadvantages...............17 v Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple 1. Introduction Acer palmatum, Japanese maple, is a fine textured, small sized tree, native to the understory of forests on the islands of Japan and nearby territories. In landscape use it has survived and often flourished in a wide range of environmental conditions. Environmental adaptability and the species’ inherent tendency towards variation amongst seedlings – any mass of seedlings sure to produce any number of obvious genotypic variations - have combined to make Japanese maple a nursery industry and landscape favorite (Mulloy, 1976). This paper will provide a general description of Japanese maple aesthetics, culture, and propagation. A review of decades of literature regarding these practices has been synthesized and simplified wherever possible. It is worth mentioning that the information used to compile this review has largely been derived from the published experiences of long time Japanese maple growers and collectors, more so than the published accounts of research experiments found in scientific journals. 2. Japanese Maples: Value and Appeal Taxonomical and nomenclatural confusion have long been encountered concerning Acer palmatum and its range. The Acer palmatum complex is considered by some to be widely distributed - parts of Korea, China, and Taiwan have all been observed to possess populations of Acer palmatum very closely related to, if not indistinguishable from those growing on the islands of Japan (Chang, 1990). Broadly considered, Japanese maple refers to any of the 23 species of the genus Acer native to the islands and nearby territories of Japan. It is interesting to note that Acer palmatum and all its varieties are almost exclusively endemic to Japan (Vertrees, 2001), an island approximately the size of Montana. For the purposes of this paper the name Japanese maple refers specifically to Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum, and the 1 myriad cultivars related to both species. I include Acer japonicum, Fullmoon maple, because it has similar cultural requirements to Japanese maple, as well as similar aesthetic appeal (Dirr, 1998). Brief mention of the history of Japanese maple cultivation is in order. The generic Japanese word for A. palmatum is Momiji, roughly translated to mean "the baby's hand" (Mulloy, 1976). The Japanese, a culture known historically for its aesthetic and spiritual sensitivity, have selected, bred, and propagated Japanese maples since the early 1600’s. By the late 1700’s these selections were being distributed to horticulturalists, nurseries, and arboreta around the world. Records show that over 200 named cultivated forms of Japanese maple existed during this time period. Sadly, many disappeared during the hard times brought about by World War II. To alleviate fuel shortages Japanese maples were used as firewood. Nurseries once devoted to cultivating horticultural specialities were mandated to use their land for growing food. Consequently, much of the legacy of centuries of Japanese maple cultivation was lost or destroyed over the course of about 20 years (Vertrees, 2001). Japanese maples were first introduced to England in 1820 (Dirr, 1998). The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, the oldest garden and arboretum intended for public use in the United States, planted their first Japanese maple on March 1st, 1880 (Port, 2003). Today, Japanese maples are widespread throughout the suburban American landscape. Their small stature, from shrub size up to 8 meters (25 feet), is well suited for restricted lawn and garden spaces (old and prosperous individuals along the East Coast have matured to 13 -15 meters (40-50 feet) (Dirr 1998)). The typically crimson colored, palmate shaped, or sometimes finely cut ("dissected") leaves appeal to almost everyone. In addition to the attractive form of the leaves, dependable fall coloration of the leaves - the reds, oranges, and yellows, typical of majority of Acer species - increases popularity. Beyond these obvious attributes, more refined and subtle tastes appreciate Japanese maple’s picturesque branch architecture, the spring flowers, and the decorative fall seed set. Perhaps the popularity of Japanese maple is in part due to its abundant presence in the contrived environments most frequented by people. Japanese maple is a tree
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Japanese Maples – Acer Spp
    Japanese Maples – Acer spp. Known for their astounding variety in color, texture and habit, Japanese Maples are easygoing and adaptable and belong in every garden. If you already have one, think about adding another! for every site, a japanese maple! • Botanists count twenty-three species to include under the common heading of Japanese Maple. The largest group is Acer palmatum and its cultivars, followed by Acer japonicum. The numerous cultivars of Acer palmatum are further divided into seven groups which are mostly defined by leaf-shape. • In addition to variation in leaf-shape, Japanese Maples come in an array of sizes, growth habits, color ranges, and full sun to part shade preference. They add structure, contrast, texture, and beauty to any garden. • Carefully evaluate your chosen planting spot: Japanese maples require a slightly acid, sandy loam, with medium moisture and good drainage. Regular leafed varieties take full sun better than laceleaf types, but all Japanese Maples will be happy with at least some afternoon shade, since St. Louis summer sun is hot, strong and humid. • Remember that plants grow outwards as well as upwards and site appropriately. Take into account proximity to any buildings and any overhead limits. Some pruning is possible but should not be a necessary task. • The main requirement of a Japanese Maple is a uniform supply of water. They are not happy with very wet periods followed by long, dry periods or vice versa. Most will need supplemental water in the St. Louis summers. Japanese Maples in planters have this same need for consistency – be careful that they do not become waterlogged! prepare your site, plant your tree • Japanese Maples are easy to plant.
    [Show full text]
  • Entomology 101 Jason J
    Entomology 101 Jason J. Dombroskie Manager, Cornell U. Insect Collection Coordinator, Insect Diagnostic Lab This material [email protected] can only be used for CCE MGV audiences. Outline • What is an insect? • Anatomy • Life cycles • Diversity • Major orders • Herbivory Corydalus cornutus Cornell U. Insect Collection • > 7 million specimens • ~200 000 species • worldwide coverage • http://cuic.entomology.cornell.edu/ • on facebook Insect Diagnostic Lab • ~700 IDs per year • 10-20 000 IDs for NYS Dept. Ag. & Markets • occasionally IDs can be made from a photo • mostly local, but some submissions worldwide • $25 fee • http://entomology.cornell.edu/IDL Arthropods Regier, et al. 2005 What is an insect? • 3 main body parts • 6 jointed legs • 1 pair of antennae • compound eyes • usually some sort of metamorphosis Booneacris glacialis Head • antennae • mouthparts • compound eyes • ocelli Monochamus scutellatus Popillia japonica Tetanocera sp. Antheraea polyphemus wikimedia commons labrum maxilla mandible labium Corydalus cornutus Polygonia progne Aedes sp. Hybomitra zonalis Monochamus notatus Aeshna canadensis Isoptera Darapsa myron Thorax • six legs • four wings or less • muscular Amateur Entomologists’ Society Entomologists’ Amateur Limenitis archippus Lethocerus americanus Zeugomantispa minuta Machimus sp. with Herpetogramma pertextalis wikimedia commons Tipula apicalis Cybister fimbriolatus Elasmucha lateralis Automeris io Abdomen • internal organs • genitalia • ovipositor Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Lauxania shewelli Merope tuber Adoxophyes
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera of North America 5
    Lepidoptera of North America 5. Contributions to the Knowledge of Southern West Virginia Lepidoptera Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Lepidoptera of North America 5. Contributions to the Knowledge of Southern West Virginia Lepidoptera by Valerio Albu, 1411 E. Sweetbriar Drive Fresno, CA 93720 and Eric Metzler, 1241 Kildale Square North Columbus, OH 43229 April 30, 2004 Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Cover illustration: Blueberry Sphinx (Paonias astylus (Drury)], an eastern endemic. Photo by Valeriu Albu. ISBN 1084-8819 This publication and others in the series may be ordered from the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 Abstract A list of 1531 species ofLepidoptera is presented, collected over 15 years (1988 to 2002), in eleven southern West Virginia counties. A variety of collecting methods was used, including netting, light attracting, light trapping and pheromone trapping. The specimens were identified by the currently available pictorial sources and determination keys. Many were also sent to specialists for confirmation or identification. The majority of the data was from Kanawha County, reflecting the area of more intensive sampling effort by the senior author. This imbalance of data between Kanawha County and other counties should even out with further sampling of the area. Key Words: Appalachian Mountains,
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of Insect Pests, Pathogens, and Invasive Plant Species to Climate Change in the Forests of Northeastern North America: What Can We Predict?1
    231 REVIEW / SYNTHE` SE Responses of insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plant species to climate change in the forests of northeastern North America: What can we predict?1 Jeffrey S. Dukes, Jennifer Pontius, David Orwig, Jeffrey R. Garnas, Vikki L. Rodgers, Nicholas Brazee, Barry Cooke, Kathleen A. Theoharides, Erik E. Stange, Robin Harrington, Joan Ehrenfeld, Jessica Gurevitch, Manuel Lerdau, Kristina Stinson, Robert Wick, and Matthew Ayres Abstract: Climate models project that by 2100, the northeastern US and eastern Canada will warm by approximately 3– 5 8C, with increased winter precipitation. These changes will affect trees directly and also indirectly through effects on ‘‘nuisance’’ species, such as insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plants. We review how basic ecological principles can be used to predict nuisance species’ responses to climate change and how this is likely to impact northeastern forests. We then examine in detail the potential responses of two pest species (hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) and forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hubner)), two pathogens (armillaria root rot (Armillaria spp.) and beech bark disease (Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind. + Neonectria spp.)), and two invasive plant species (glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus Mill.) and oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.)). Several of these species are likely to have stronger or more widespread effects on forest composition and structure under the projected climate. However, uncertainty pervades our predictions because we lack adequate data on the species and because some species depend on complex, incompletely understood, unstable relationships. While targeted research will increase our confidence in making predictions, some un- Received 25 January 2008. Accepted 1 October 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Cankerworm
    Pest Profile Photo credit: David Keith & Tim Miller, UNL Entomology Extension Common Name: Fall Cankerworm Scientific Name: Alsophila pometaria Order and Family: Lepidoptera, Geometridae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg dark grayish-brown with a dot and a ring 1.0 mm on top Larva/Nymph vary between light green and dark 25.0 mm (mature larvae) brownish-green have white lines running down their body from the head to the tip of the abdomen dark-brownish green caterpillars have a black stripe the length of their back Adult males are small, have wings, and are grayish color with some white lines along 25.0 – 35.0 mm (male the wings wingspread) females have a grayish colored body and 10.0 – 12.0 mm (female) wingless Pupa (if applicable) yellow to yellow-green in color wrapped in a silken cocoon Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Chewing (caterpillar) Host plant/s: black cherry, basswood, red and white oaks, beech, ash, boxelder, elm, sugar and red maples Description of Damage (larvae and adults): When the larvae are young, they eat on the underside of the leaves, making the leaf appear skeletonized. As the larvae get older, they cause more damage by eating almost the whole leaf. In some cases, the damage is to the extent of defoliation of the tree, especially in severe cases of outbreaks. Sometimes in bad outbreaks, these caterpillars can defoliate many trees. References: Ciesla, M, W. & Asaro, C (2016) Fall Crankerworm. Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 182. Published by U.S. Deparment of Agriculture- Forest Service. Portland, Oregon.
    [Show full text]
  • Non-Native Trees and Large Shrubs for the Washington, D.C. Area
    Green Spring Gardens 4603 Green Spring Rd ● Alexandria ● VA 22312 Phone: 703-642-5173 ● TTY: 703-803-3354 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring NON - NATIVE TREES AND LARGE SHRUBS ­ FOR THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA ­ Non-native trees are some of the most beloved plants in the landscape due to their beauty. In addition, these trees are grown for the shade, screening, structure, and landscape benefits they provide. Deciduous trees, whose leaves die and fall off in the autumn, are valuable additions to landscapes because of their changing interest throughout the year. Evergreen trees are valued for their year-round beauty and shelter for wildlife. Evergreens are often grouped into two categories, broadleaf evergreens and conifers. Broadleaf evergreens have broad, flat leaves. They also may have showy flowers, such as Camellia oleifera (a large shrub), or colorful fruits, such as Nellie R. Stevens holly. Coniferous evergreens either have needle-like foliage, such as the lacebark pine, or scale-like foliage, such as the green giant arborvitae. Conifers do not have true flowers or fruits but bear cones. Though most conifers are evergreen, exceptions exist. Dawn redwood, for example, loses its needles each fall. The following are useful definitions: Cultivar (cv.) - a cultivated variety designated by single quotes, such as ‘Autumn Gold’. A variety (var.) or subspecies (subsp.), in contrast, is found in nature and is a subdivision of a species (a variety of Cedar of Lebanon is listed). Full Shade - the amount of light under a dense deciduous tree canopy or beneath evergreens. Full Sun - at least 6 hours of sun daily.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2021 Newsletter
    METRO MAPLES F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 1 N e w s l e t t e r NEWS & NOTES ACER JAPONICUM COLD WEATHER!!! New Fire Dragons and more We detail 4 different cultivars of How will your trees handle young Japanese maples are now this distinctly different species the upcoming arctic blast? available! of Japanese maple. NEWS & NOTES It may be hard to believe this week, but it won't be long until the trees begin to wake up and start to brighten our gardens once again. If you're thinking of adding a new tree to your landscape this spring, February is a great time to put that plan in motion. So many Japanese maples are every bit as bright and colorful in the spring as they are in autumn, and planting in early spring will give you the benefit of Its cold now, but spring is just around the corner! seeing those colors emerge this year. We now have dozens of 30-gallon 'Fire Dragon' Shantung maples in stock with dense branching and great shapes. If you are in need of a tree that grows in full sun and turns a brilliant red in fall, you might want to come check them out. We're continuing to be open by appointment from Monday through Saturday from 8:00am - 2:00pm (unless the roads are impassable). We'd love to see you! ACER JAPONICUM CULTIVARS The broad term 'Japanese maple' is applied to a handful of maple species native to Japan. Most of the Japanese maples that we offer are Acer palmatum cultivars.
    [Show full text]
  • 2. ACER Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1054. 1753. 枫属 Feng Shu Trees Or Shrubs
    Fl. China 11: 516–553. 2008. 2. ACER Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1054. 1753. 枫属 feng shu Trees or shrubs. Leaves mostly simple and palmately lobed or at least palmately veined, in a few species pinnately veined and entire or toothed, or pinnately or palmately 3–5-foliolate. Inflorescence corymbiform or umbelliform, sometimes racemose or large paniculate. Sepals (4 or)5, rarely 6. Petals (4 or)5, rarely 6, seldom absent. Stamens (4 or 5 or)8(or 10 or 12); filaments distinct. Carpels 2; ovules (1 or)2 per locule. Fruit a winged schizocarp, commonly a double samara, usually 1-seeded; embryo oily or starchy, radicle elongate, cotyledons 2, green, flat or plicate; endosperm absent. 2n = 26. About 129 species: widespread in both temperate and tropical regions of N Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and North America; 99 species (61 endemic, three introduced) in China. Acer lanceolatum Molliard (Bull. Soc. Bot. France 50: 134. 1903), described from Guangxi, is an uncertain species and is therefore not accepted here. The type specimen, in Berlin (B), has been destroyed. Up to now, no additional specimens have been found that could help clarify the application of this name. Worldwide, Japanese maples are famous for their autumn color, and there are over 400 cultivars. Also, many Chinese maple trees have beautiful autumn colors and have been cultivated widely in Chinese gardens, such as Acer buergerianum, A. davidii, A. duplicatoserratum, A. griseum, A. pictum, A. tataricum subsp. ginnala, A. triflorum, A. truncatum, and A. wilsonii. In winter, the snake-bark maples (A. davidii and its relatives) and paper-bark maple (A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Genus Acer (Maples) in Formosa and the Liukiu [Ryukyu] Islands
    The Genus Acer (Maples) in Formosa and the Liukiu [Ryukyu] Islands H UI-LIN Ll1 THE SPECIES of the genus Aeer in Formosa C. Leaves glaucous beneath. and the Liukiu Islands are included in the D. Leaves obtuse or cuneate at base, revisional study of the family Aceraceae made not 3-nerved . 1. A . a/bopurpuraseens by Fang (1939). The Formosan species are DD. Leaves rounded to cordate and also treated by Kanehira in his work on the distinctly 3-nerved at base . Formosan trees (1936). The opinions ex­ . .. ... .. •2. A . itoanum pressed by these two authors are widely diver­ Cc. Leaves white-pubescent beneath . gent. Fang accepts practically all the species . .. .... ... .. 3. A. hypo/eueum originally described from Formosa, whereas BB. Leaves 3-lobed . Kanehira reduces a large number to synony­ .. .4. A. buergerianzon var. formosanum my . Neither of the two treatments is exhaus­ AA. Leaves serrate. tive, as a few names pertaining to Form osan B. Leaves undivided to shallowly 3 ~ .or plants are omitted from each . rarely 5-lobed. For purposes of the present study, the C. Leaves mostly undivided, sometimes works of these two authors, as well as other shallowly 3- or rarely 5-lobed; inflo­ pertinent literature, have been critically re­ rescence racemose. viewed . Specimens deposited in the U. S. D . Fruit 2-2.2 em. long . National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution, . ... .. ...5. A. kawakamii and the herbarium of the National Taiwan DD. Fruit 2.5-3 em. long . University, Formosa, have been studied and . 5a. A . kawakamii vat. taiton­ arecited, with the abbreviations US and NTU, montanum respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera, Incurvariidae) with Two New Species from China and Japan
    Zootaxa 4927 (2): 209–233 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2021 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4927.2.3 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:96B9981B-01B5-4828-A4C6-E2E4A08DB8F2 Review of the genus Vespina (Lepidoptera, Incurvariidae) with two new species from China and Japan TOSHIYA HIROWATARI1*, SADAHISA YAGI1, ISSEI OHSHIMA2, GUO-HUA HUANG3 & MIN WANG4 1Entomological laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan. [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4261-1219 2Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto, 606-8522 Japan. [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8295-9749 3Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China. [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6841-0095 4Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China. [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5834-4058 *Corresponding author. [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6839-2229 Abstract Asian species of the genus Vespina Davis, 1972 (Lepidoptera, Incurvariidae) are mainly reviewed. Vespina meridiana Hirowatari & Yagi sp. nov. from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and Vespina sichuana Hirowatari, Huang & Wang sp. nov. from Sichuan, China, are described. The previously known Vespina species are associated with plants from the Fagaceae family on the western coast of the USA and East Asia and with Sapindaceae (Aceraceae) in eastern Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera) from Siberia and the Russian Far East, with Descriptions of Two New Species·
    © Entomologica Fennica. 20 September 1996 lncurvariidae and Prodoxidae (Lepidoptera) from Siberia and the Russian Far East, with descriptions of two new species· Mikhail V. Kozlov Kozlov, M.V. 1996: Incurvariidae and Prodoxidae (Lepidoptera) from Siberia and the Russian Far East, with descriptions of two new species - Entomol. Fennica 7:55-62. The Incurvariidae and Prodoxidae of eastern Russia total 19 species in eight genera. Phylloporia bistrigella (Haworth), now reported from Yukon, is tentatively included in the list, although it has not yet been discovered in the Eastern Palaearctic. Four species previously known only from Europe, lncurvaria vetulella (Zetterstedt), I. circulella (Zetterstedt), Lampronia luzella (Hubner), and L. provectella (Heyden) are reported from Siberia; lncurvaria kivatshella Kutenkova is synonymized with 1. vetulella. Lampronia sakhalinella sp. n. is described from Sakhalin. L. altaica Zagulajev is reported from North Korea; the female postabdomen and genitalia of this species are described and figured. The genus Greya Busck, previously known only from North America, is reported from the Palaearctic, with G. variabilis Davis & Pellmyr and G. kononenkoi sp. n. recorded from the Chukchi Peninsula, and G. marginimacu­ lata (Issiki) comb. n. originally described from Japan is expected from the Russian Far East. Among the nine species not known from Europe, one species is reported from Altai only; two show a Beringian distribution; six species are associated with the southern areas of the Far East and Japan, and one is distributed from the Irkutsk region to Sakhalin and Primorye. Mikhail V. Kozlov, Laboratory of Ecological Zoology, University of Turku, FIN-20500 Turku, Finland Received 23 February 1994, accepted 2 November 1995 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Maine Forest Service MAINE DEPARTMENT OF
    Maine Forest Service ● MAINE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION FALL CANKERWORM Alsophila pometaria (Harris) Insect and Disease Laboratory ● 168 State House Station ● 50 Hospital Street ● Augusta, Maine ● 04333­0168 Damage This important pest of forest and shade trees occurs generally throughout most of Northeastern America where it feeds on a variety of hardwoods. Damage is first noticed in early May when feeding by the tiny larvae known as "cankerworms," "loopers," "inchworms" or "measuring worms" on the opening buds and expanding leaves causes the foliage to be skeletonized. Later as the larvae mature all but the midrib (and veins) of leaves are devoured. Occasional outbreaks of this pest in Maine have caused severe defoliation of oak and elm. The outbreaks are most often localized and usually last three to four years before natural control factors cause the population to collapse. Trees subjected to two or more years of heavy defoliation may be seriously damaged, especially weaker trees or trees growing on poor sites. Hosts Its preferred hosts are oak, elm and apple, but it also occurs on maple, beech, ash, poplar, box elder, basswood, and cherry. Description and Habits The wingless, greyish­brown female cankerworm moths emerge from the duff with the onset of cold weather in October and November and crawl up the tree trunks. The male moth is greyish­brown with a one inch wing span. Males can often be seen flitting through infested stands during the day or warmer nights during hunting season. The females are not often seen. Females deposit their eggs in single­layered compact masses of 100 or more on the bark of smaller branches and twigs of trees often high in the crown from October to early December.
    [Show full text]